Viacom inks MTV format deals

Local versions cued for 'Pimp,' 'Trip,' 'Fat'

CANNES — Viacom Intl. Media Networks has closed four deals with European broadcasters and producers on MTV’s hit reality formats “Pimp My Ride” and “One Bad Trip,” and docu-series “I Used to Be Fat.”

Deals were announced at Mipformats, the two-day international confab, which kicked off Friday in Cannes.

Pan-Scandinavian broadcaster Viasat has acquired “Pimp My Ride Norge,” the local adaptation of “Pimp My Ride” to be produced by Limelight TV. The one-hour show will premiere on April 10 and will air every Tuesday. Mona Halvorsen and Rune Ohlsgaard will host.

German shingle Spin TV has picked up “One Bad Trip,” which will air every week on leading net RTL2 starting this fall. Currently filming in a Mediterranean beach resort popular among young Germans, the show will air in four 60-minute parts.

Meanwhile, “I Used to Be Fat,” a docu series created by MTV in the U.S., has been optioned by the U.K.’s STV Prods. and Banijay-owned production house Nordisk, for adaptation in Finland and Sweden.